JAKARTA - The European Union will review agreements governing its political and economic ties with Israel due to the "disaster" situation in Gaza, EU major diplomat Kaja Kallas said after a meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers on Tuesday.
International pressure on Israel has risen in recent days amid complaints about a lack of humanitarian aid reaching Gaza, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a new military offensive in the enclave.
Kallas said the "strong majority" of ministers meeting in Brussels supported such a review of the agreement with Israel, known as the association agreement, given the situation in Gaza.
Diplomats say 17 of the 27 EU members support the review, which will focus on whether Israel complies with the human rights clause in the agreement, and was proposed by Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp.
"The situation in Gaza is very bad. The assistance Israel has allowed is certainly welcome, but it's just pouring water in the ocean. Assistance must flow immediately, without a hitch and on a large scale, because this is what it takes," Kallas told reporters.
Based on the pact, which took effect in 2000, the European Union and Israel agreed their relationship "must be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which guide their internal and international policies".
In a letter proposing a review, Foreign Minister Veldkamp voiced concerns about Israel's policy of "deteriorating the already dire humanitarian situation".
He also cited a statement by Israeli cabinet members about a permanent presence that refers to the re-employment of the Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon Strips and the worsening of the situation in the West Bank.
On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Veldkamp called the review "a very important and strong signal," echoing the sentiments of officials from France and Ireland.
However, others did not support the review. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky suggested the bloc could hold a meeting with Israel under association agreements to voice concerns.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials said their operations in Gaza were needed to destroy Hamas, the Palestinian group responsible for the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed Kallas' criticism.
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"We completely reject the directives taken in the statement, which reflects a total misconception about the complex reality facing Israel," the ministry wrote in a post on Tuesday night.
"Regarding this reality and criticizing Israel will only tighten Hamas' position and encourage Hamas to stick to its stance," the ministry said, thanking the countries it said supported Israel in the discussion.
Kallas said EU sanctions against Israeli settlers who commit violence have been prepared, but have so far been blocked by a single member state. Diplomats say the country is Hungary.
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